A simple question to ask yourself before picking the winner of a college football game: Which team has been promised the most money from boosters if it wins the game?

Just kidding. The real question: Which team has the best players?

In the case of Tennessee vs. Cal, my best guess at the simple question is "Cal."

But there are other factors to consider, such as: Which team has the most potent steroids?

Kidding again. The other factors include coaching, motivation, home-field advantage, weather and injuries. And most of those favor UT.

Will UT’s brain trust out-coach Jeff Tedford & Company? Probably not. Are the Vols more motivated than the Golden Bears? I doubt it.

But the venue, the weather and injuries all favor UT.

Cal quarterback Nate Longshore has never played in a college road game. And he gets Neyland Stadium right out of the gate.

The weather won’t be as steamy as last week, but it still will favor the Vols over a Bay Area team.

UT’s starters have been injury-free. Cal has lost cornerback Tim Mixon for sure and might be without defensive tackle Mika Kane, who suffered a broken finger in preseason and just had the cast removed this week.

Tennessee 23, California 20: Play this game in Berkeley, and the Golden Bears probably would win by a touchdown or more. But that match-up is a year away.

The Golden Bears will fade in the fourth quarter, and a James Wilhoit field goal will finish them off.

Southern Cal 30, Arkansas 13: After an exhaustive post-season video study, the University of Arkansas Research Department discovered that the Hogs actually tackled Reggie Bush during last year’s USC-Arkansas game. That contradicts the popular opinion that no one laid a hand on Bush during the Trojans’ 70-17 victory.

Fortunately for the Hogs, Bush is long-gone. So are many of the other Trojans who could have hung a hundred on the Hogs if their coaches had been more committed to the onslaught.

Insider tip: Janet Gretzky says: "Southern Cal might have lost quarterback Matt Leinart, but Arkansas still has quarterback Robert Johnson. ? Give the points."

Alabama 40, Hawaii 24: If you have to break in a new quarterback, I highly recommend the Tide’s schedule. In fact, Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson probably will be drawing comparisons to Joe Willie Namath after the first three games.

Hawaii’s defense ranked 104th out of 119 teams last year. Next comes Vanderbilt, which ranked 70th. It’s followed by Louisiana-Monroe (79th).

Florida 27, Southern Mississippi 10 If you have to break in a new quarterback, I don’t recommend USM’s schedule. Jeremy Young will start his first college game in The Swamp against what should be one of the nation’s best defenses.

At least, the Golden Eagles will be prepared for the heat. The heat index was 112 degrees for their second preseason scrimmage.

Insider tip: Pete Rose says, "If I were a betting man, I’d take the points."

Auburn 34, Washington State 16: Washington State’s defense will be improved, but no one’s calling it the "Cougar Curtain" just yet. It gave up 42 or more points in four games last season.

Auburn has given up 42 or more points four times in the last 14 years.

Georgia 31, Western Kentucky 7: Can you beat Western Kentucky with Joe Tereshinksi at quarterback? No doubt.

Can you beat South Carolina with Joe Tereshinksi at quarterback? See next week’s upset pick.

Ole Miss 34, Memphis 27: UT fans will have a huge interest in this game, but not just because the Vols play Memphis on Sept. 30. Former UT starting quarterback Brent Schaeffer will make his debut for the Rebels.

It’s got the makings of a great side bet. Who will throw more touchdowns against the Tigers: Ainge or Schaeffer?

Insider tip: Art Schlichter advises, "When all things are equal, bet on the running quarterback ? Schaeffer runs like a wanted man."

Louisville 38, Kentucky 17: If you think the Cardinals dominate this rivalry because they recruit the best players in the state, you’re only half-right.

Yes, they have Kentuckians Brian Brohm and Michael Bush to lead their offense. But they also have 20 players from Florida. Kentucky has seven.

LSU 49, Louisiana-Lafayette 0: If only Kentucky had an in-state rival like this.

The Tigers are 20-0 against the Ragin’ Cajuns, who have been shut out 16 times and scored only 19 points in the 20 games. LSU has scored 85 points or more three times and averaged 49.2 points per game in the series.

Michigan 37, Vanderbilt 13: This has the makings of a great intersectional rivalry — sort of like LSU vs. Louisiana-Lafayette is a great in-state rivalry.

You could put the Commodores in Ohio State uniforms, and they still couldn’t beat Michigan.

Top 25: Ohio State 42, Northern Illinois 17; Notre Dame 34, Georgia Tech 20; Texas 45, North Texas 10; West Virginia 48, Marshall 17; Oklahoma 34, UAB 7; Florida State 16, Miami 10; Iowa 47, Montana 7; Virginia Tech 45, Northeastern 3; Clemson 55, Florida Atlantic 10; Penn State 30, Akron 20; Nebraska 38, Louisiana Tech 10; Oregon 34, Stanford 17; TCU 23, Baylor 20; Texas Tech 45, SMU 17.

Last Year’s Record: 204-69 (.747), 138-124 (.527) against the spread.

Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.